Professional Summary


Education & Certifications
  • Residency: Hospital for Special Surgery Orthopaedic Surgery Residency (1989) NY
  • Internship: Beth Israel Medical Center (1985) NY
  • Medical Education: McGill University Faculty of Medicine (1984) Canada
  • Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery (1992)
  • Fellowship: Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center (1990) CA

Memberships
  • Treasurer, Scoliosis Research Society (2019 - Present)
  • President-elect, American Orthopedic Association (2020 - Present)

Administrative Appointments
  • Chief, Orthopaedic Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (2013 - Present)

Publications

Practice Locations


Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA

450 Broadway Street

Redwood City , CA 94063

(650) 723-5643

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Orthopaedic Spine Center Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA

420 Broadway Street, Pavilion D, 2nd Floor

Redwood City , CA 94063

(650) 725-1125

Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »

Patient Ratings

(195 Ratings)

Overall Rating
4.8/5

View Ratings by Category

4.9/5
Friendliness
Friendliness/courtesy of the care provider
4.8/5
Explanations
Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition
4.9/5
Listens
Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries
4.9/5
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care
Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your treatment
4.9/5
Recommended to others
Likelihood of your recommending this care provider to others
0.0/5
Wait times
Wait time at clinic (from arriving to leaving)

How Our Ratings Work

The Patients Ratings and comments are gathered from our Patient Satisfaction Survey and displayed in their entirety.

Patient Satisfaction Survey Disclaimer

Patient Reviews

(241 reviews)

Dr. Hu is excellent. Caring and understanding combine with expertise.
Doctor Hu is an amazing surgeon and a very caring physician. During my initial visit, she indicated that she thought she could help me and now one year post surgery. I am one extremely happy camper.
Highly recommended to me by other doctors, and I trust her judgement.
I have felt very fortunate to have Dr. Hu’s care. She has been very straightforward and honest with me. And she performed a miraculous surgery.
I would recommend Dr. Serena Hu to anybody who could benefit from her tremendous skill. She has kept me upright and walking through 15+ spinal surgeries.
All persons are very nice to patient
Superb in all resoects
She is the best!
From the very first moment I met Dr. Hu I have been an ardent fan. She is engaging, obviously whip-smart, incredibly knowledgeable and wise. She's also a warm, friendly woman with a sense of humor and an interest in me beyond just my medical/surgical needs. I feel lucky to have had her excellent skills improve the quality of my life and I'm proud to consider her a good and reliable friend.
Helped with my care even though I have not seen her in a few years.
Very attentive
Dr Hu is extremely intelligent, an excellent communicator, and very competent
Doctor Hu is an excellent orthopedic surgeon.
My experience was simply amazing. If I had a jet and could commute to SM from Seattle I would. Everyone I came in contact with was professional, kind and listened to my questions and comments.
I always have the BEST care at Stanford with the BEST staff. Positive thorough care.
I love Dr Serena Hu. She’s very caring and compassionate and at the same time very knowledgeable.
I think Dr. Hu is very professional and very helpful when I finally got to talk with her.
Excellence.
On the day I saw her though, she was VERY tired. I was the last patient of the day and it just wasn't a good day for her.
Dr. Hu is always thorough. She takes time to answer any questions I have.
She is considerate and charismatic
Dr. Hu was very helpful. Her directions for next step for me was very clear.
They spent quality time with me.
I have known Dr Hu for more than 30 years and have the highest esteem for her knowledge and informative of my condition and value her advice highly.
There are not enough positive words to describe Dr. Hu's ability, knowledge, bedside manner, personality, warm, caring; I could go on and fill this whole page about what an outstanding doctor she is!!!
your back spine center reay helped me.
She is wonderful
Exceptional care!
Reception & meeting with Doctor were optimal
Incredibly impressive.
She listened well to my concerns and we made a good plan for my needs.
Everyone was so aware and responsive. Felt I was heard and all questions were answered.
Always treated respectfully and not long waits in any department.
Dr. Hu is caring and thorough. Her bedside manner is beyond reproach.
Dr. Hu has my full confidence. She is clear and straightforward and patient with my many questions. And she is attentive to my concerns.
She 00is an outstanding doctor
Dr Hu is the best! She is concerned about her patients and is realistic about the progress they can do and the challenges they face.
She took the time to answer all my questions and explained things very clearly in layperson's language. I found her easy to work with.
Dr. Hu is amazing
The doctor is very kind and very efficient in covering all that need to be covered and I am looking forward to meeting her in person.
Dr. Hu was very professional and very clear in her explanation of my problem.
She is very thorough and professional
Everyone was friendly and competent.
Very informative
`She satisfied all my concerns.
She is terrific!
Service at Pav D and Dr Hu’s office was outstanding!
Dr Hu was wonderful to work with. She never rushed me, answered all questions and was supportive in every way.
Dr Hu is a miracle worker! So grateful for allowing me to walk again !
Surgery seems fine. But complications due to autonomic small fiber neuropathy
Very impressed with the efficiency of my visits. Everyone was right on top of everything! Thank you!
Outstanding doctor
Cleared up several questions I had prior to surgery...........
Dr Hu was very understanding throughout the process
I had a very nice visit at the hospital and all the staff was nice and very professional.
Exceptional in every way!
Thank you so much 😊
Dr Hu was very informative. She made me feel at ease. Her knowledge and being able to provide detailed explanation of why my back is hurting was great.
Dr. Hu is fabulous! I feel so very fortunate to be under her care ... she is so thoughtful, extremely knowledgable and very caring in her responses ... and is very professional. I wish she could take care of all my medical needs ... she is the very best physician I have ever seen. Stanford is so very fortunate to have her on the physician staff. THANK YOU DR. HU!
Serena was great and I felt she cared about trying to help me get better. Thanks!
Articulate and displays humility despite a stellar reputation. She answered all my questions to help me prepare for a surgery I am scared to death to have.
Very organized staff. Expert care!
Dr. Hu and Kathleen are terrific. The guy who took my X-ray was great. We were early and got in early. We’re very happy with our experience.
She is very personable.
I understand Dr. Hu is very busy and she's an excellent Dr, but I was there for a total of 4 hrs waiting. Had x-rays right away whick was great.
Great MD. To Stanford, I saw her almost 25 years ago at UCSF for spine issue and her care was top notch and I did extremely well I believe because of her care. I spent a few weeks tracking her down to find her at Stanford in addressing a whole bunch of new spine problems and then care needed for unexpected emergency spine surgery. I need MDs with whom I feel I can communicate. I get that the system wants me to just see anybody but I am the decider and I do not fare well unless I feel an MD can communicate with me in a way that is respectful and that demonstrates actual care and concern. That is why I worked so hard to find her again and that includes driving 1 hour to see her at Stanford. Also, I want to support female spine surgeons - THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH EVEN RIGHT NOW - so…. all in all, I pretty much would follow her wherever she goes because with her I know I really am in good hands.
Professional kind informative care!
I would recommend these providers in a heartbeat! The best ever!
Excellent tram
I have recommended her for years. I still would!!
Excellent inquiry; answered my questions; highly recommended team
She is a great surgeon.
I have to drive over an hour to get to Stanford but to an amazing Doctor,,Dr.Hu
Care itself was excellent. Process in acquiring access to that care was horrible
Thank you for your time. I appreciate your down to earth manner and clear communication of course your expertise.
She's wonderful! Answered my questions and took time to go over risks and imaging, once again, for us. Reassured us about my upcoming surgery and volunteered to have a former patient of hers for me to speak to regarding my complicated surgery. I'm very grateful to have been referred to her by my local doctor.
Everyone I interacted with was efficient and professional. Very patient-friendly experience.
Dr Hu is an excellent surgeon who has performed 4 spine surgeries on me over 12 years
I only wish we had met 2 years earlier and I had the benefit of her knowledge and surgical skills. I believe 2 years of pain and suffering would have been avoided and the cost for 2 surgeries saved. I am extremely impressed with my care team.
Dr. Hu was professional, yet caring and informative. I feel confident in her abilities and am looking forward to getting the surgery I desperately need.
Dr. Hu has been great: thoughtful, understanding, listening attentively and responding in a very straightforward manner. I definitely appreciate a surgeon who, after very careful assessment, says maybe surgery is not the answer. Can’t attest to her surgical skills, of course, but she’s very highly thought of up here in Humboldt county.
Dr. Hu is an extremely skilled and caring surgeon and physician.
Dr. S. Hu was extremely helpful.
Excellent compassionate care.
Patient and caring doctor
Great care, as always!
Dr. Hu is superb. She explains everything in detail, takes her time, and is just wonderful.
She was very kind and understanding. She took the time to really listen and hear what I was saying. She answered all questions in a way that you could understand. I felt very comfortable with her and her abilities and am seriously considering her for this major surgery if and when I am ready to do it.
Always timely and thorough.
exceptional medical care
Everyone is extremely accommodating. Dr Hu is amazing and I am very comfortable about having her do my surgery.
She’s interested in my health and well-being. I feel totally confident in her care and appreciate all she has done to help me along this journey to surgery!
Dr Hu listened, gave understandable explanations but answered questions when not as clear, very patient.
It's always a blessing to receive such great care from everyone at Stanford. Dr. Hu and her team are outstanding.
Dr Hu was thorough, well prepared, knowledgeable and concerned. She and her assistant were the type of medical professionals that a patient would hope to be involved with a difficult, potentially life-changing operation. I am 75 years old, and do not look forward to an infirmity as a result of the operation. With Dr Hu, I am confident that I will be fine.
Dr Hu has been clear, thoughtful and very helpful. Her honesty makes me trust her judgement as to the advisability of surgery.
I appreciate Serena Hu’s expertise if it wasn’t for her talents I don’t believe I would be alive right now.
Dr. Hu is the very best doctor I have ever had the privilege to meet with. She is bright, thoughtful, kind and understanding … and so experienced. Great bedside manner … and extremely knowledgeable. I feel like I am in the very best of hands … Dr. Hu’s hands! She is the very best! Thank you Dr. Hu!
I just met her but totally lovely.
I think she is the best at what she does, but she seems to be overloaded and in need of qualified help.
She's wonderful
She’s terrific!
Serena Hu is a great doctor!
Dr Hu and her assistant were very caring and friendly. I feel they understood my problem and gave me very good information.
Dr Serena Hu is a top Dr that cares for her patients or wellbeing is to priority for Serena Hu, she understand the pain im going through
Good visit and very clear.
Helpful staff and very informative doctors — gave me great confidence in my choice of Stanford.
She is fantastic and has exceeded my expectations
She is the best. Her staff is also great.
Very aware of Covid status. We were treated first class
very concerned physician and friendly
I consider Dr Hu to be a miracle worker.
The Best
Dr Hu and her team are truly the best!!!!
Reliable/professional/friendly
She's the BEST!
We have been very fortunate to have our daughter under Dr Hu’s care. This is very unlike our experience thus far with Stanford health. Having said that we would love to get the results of Morgans CT Scan!
Everyone I talked to was excellent. The facility was clean and the equipment was modern.
Seems very competent and patient.
Excellent care from all involved. Very responsive and helpful front desk and Xray people.
Great Dr.
Dr. Hu enjoys a stellar reputation up here in Humboldt County, and I can see why. She is personable as well as highly professional, and I felt comfortable asking questions. Her office called the next day to schedule a followup, which I also greatly appreciated.
Would tell folks she is very difficult to schedule.
Dr. Hu is a wonderful doctor in my opinion
She's great!
Dr Hu was very professional and spent the time listening and understanding my problems. Explained everything in terms I could understand and really took an interest in trying to inform me of my options.
I'm grateful she agreed to see me. We live in a rural area without access to specialists of her caliber.
The best!!!
I am grateful that Dr. Hu lowered my pain with this back procedure.
Dr Hu is an excellent surgeon and a fun and empathetic good listener!
The Dr. Is phenomenal.
Dr Hu was professional and caring. She made me feel at ease and vilified the pain I am feeling. I’m looking forward to my surgery and am hopeful for the first time in years that I will be able to function without my ever present pain.
excellent care provided
Couldn't be happier with Dr. Hu's care and professionalism. I feel the same about all of her support staff, from the medical assistant on up through the PA. Very grateful.
I did recommend Dr. Hu to a friend and after her appointment she said she was pleased and thanked me for the recommendation.
it was a total different experience! they kindness and care was incredible! very appreciative
Dr. Hu is amazing. I have already told others about this.
a wonderful experience
I really liked the doctor and feel very good about working with her.
Dr. Hu is the best! Surgery and after care couldn't go better!
Very impressed with the visit, advice, and care received.
I have the ultimate trust in Dr. Hu's knowledge and skills. I know, together, we can make the best decisions for my care
Dr Hu and the others were very considerate, caring and informative. The explanations were clear and helpful.
Dr. Hu is such an awsome doctor and also a very compassionate person. I am touched by her patient relationship skills.
Dr. Hu seems to go out of her way to make a personal connection with her patients - very reassuring since she treats such serious cases. Also - she has packed a young and Uber qualified staff team to help her.
Dr. Serena Hu was remarkably attentive and thorough.
excellent in all regards
Very good esp. w/Dr. Hu & residents so far.
Dr. Hu and her staff are simply the friendliest and most helpful I have ever seen. I especially appreciate the focus on my problem and the consistent moral support I have received from them, especially Dr. Hu, before during, and after my surgery.
Dr. Hu was wonderful. She was personable and took her time responding to the concerns and questions that my husband and I had. We were both most appreciative of her explanations and impressed with her knowledge and demeanor. When it's time to actually go forward with surgery she would definitely be our choice.
Dr. Hu is direct in providing evidence of deterioration or damage to existing skeleton and also problems or risks in attempting surgery.
Dr. Serena Hu has always been friendly, caring, professional & efficient. It's always been a positive experience to "see" her & her staff.
Dr. Hu is a good surgeon, she is concerned about my condition, I am very pleased with her.
Best yet! Saw four drs. before seeing Dr. Hu about my back.
Dr. Serena Hu has been spine surgeon for 20 years. she is one of the few Doctors that I have total confidence in and am greatful to have as my provider. I wish more Doctors where like her.
they found the reason for my pain that my other doctors missed. went out of their way to obtain other medical records from a different hospital so they could properly diagnose me. thank you so much. what a relief to finally know why I hurt.
The medical folks I've seen have been OUTSTANDING.
I would definitely recommend Dr. Hi.
Care provider is excellent - Empathetic, knowledgeable, & concerned she has my complete trust.
Everyone was most professional and thorough.
Dr. Hu was remarkably attentive and interested. Frankly, could not have been better. Superb.
I cannot say enough about Dr. Serena Hu and her PA Kathleen Tamus. Any questions I needed answered Kathleen would either call me or send me a E-mail.
Dr. Serena Hu is a wonderful asset to the Sanford Medical community. Not only is she a wonderful Dr., but also an incredible person. Great listener, informative & insightful. Not only would i recommend Dr. Hu, I'd bring the patient to her myself. I do not have enough praise for this amazing Dr.
I have confidence in Dr Hu and find her extremely knowledgeable, caring and approachable.
Dr. Hu is fantastic, enjoyed meeting her immensely. Very information and professional. Front desk staff was also excellent, as well as Xray tech.
No one rushed us. We were treated with much concern, time, & care.
Dr Hu is a wonderful caring Driving
Superb physician's assistant - best I've encountered. She evaluated me well and explained clearly. The attending who looks at me and talked to me added the final touches. Amazing team.
Dr. Hu provides great encouragement and support. I'm so glad she preformed my surgery.
Very good.
Good.
Dr. Hu was comforting and assuring. I felt at peace with my decision and have already referred a friend!
Dr. Hu is outstanding!!
I felt real comfortable with these care provider, they answered all our question, I would highly recommend them.
Dr. Hu shows good evidence by her expertise and patient relationship skills to have earned her high reputation.
Had a very good experience.
Dr Hu is extremely caring. She was sensitive to my concern that waiting 6 months for my next appointment might be too long. She suggested scheduling 3 month & 6 month appointments so I can check in after 3 months if I need to do so. I had anterior & posterior spinal surgeries early Oct. Fusion is T9 - sacrum.
I am most grateful to Dr. Hu for everything she has done for me.
Both Dr. Hu and Kathleen McMannes were winderful,
Dr. Wu is the best doctor i have ever had, period.
Dr.Hu and her staff are willing to listen to my concerns and attempt to solve those concerns.
every one I've incounterd have been very good to me.
Very good experience. Dr. Hu and her asst. are professional and took time to explain my situation. Highly recommended.
Dr. Hu is not only an excellent surgeon, but she's a wonderful, empathetic provider.
Doctor and PA very good experience
Referred to MRI & x-rays & explained my situtation completely.
not only did she seem very knowledgeable, but I felt supported as an individual, leaving feeling safe in her care with much less anxiety.
I am completely happy with my dr. & all services at the clinic.
Dr. Hu is the best!!! Extremely happy with her care and concern.
Dr. Hu always makes me feel as if she is giving me her full attention.
Dr. Serena Hu is very professional while being very personal. I enjoy my appointments and trust Dr. Hu emphatically.
I felt extremely confident with Dr. Shaw. She spent a long time with me & explained ALL of my options. She has an outstanding reputation. Dr. Shaw.
Dr. Hu is the most empathetic surgeon I have ever encountered. Most surgeons of her caliber are not so "normal" and sociable. I am forever grateful for her fantastic work!
Wonderful team!
Dr. Hu is thoughtful and very knowledgeable in her suggestions for my complex post-surgery treatment. She is also friendly and easy to talk with regarding my concerns.
Dr. Hu was my surgeon 15 years ago. I trust no one else, unless Dr. Hu is supervising.
The only way to comment is: EXCELLENT. I am VERY grateful to Dr. HU!
She explain my concerns very well and also my X-rays, she is very good & very caring I like her very much because she know how to make you feel better.
best consult I've ever had on a long term problem-all assistants helpful and surgeon especially expert and straightforward in explaining what I need
I will continue to recommend Serena Shaw Hu to friends and colleagues. She is the best! I am very grateful that I was able to have her care for me.
Dr. Hu and Malcolm (Resident) were amazing. Very straightforward. Discussed ALL issues and concerns with us. Many physicians have big egos that can get in their way when talking to pts., certainly not these two. Again, we were extremely impressed. And this filtered down to all levels of staff we encountered that day.
Dr. Hu and staff are fantastic!
Dr. Hu and her staff are the best people I've ever been to. Dr. Hu is A1 - top shelf.
I can say that Dr. Hu is a competent, compassionate doctor who... for her patients.
Dr Hu and her staff are great!
Dr Serena Hu is an exceptional doctor. I treasure her personal regard for me as a patient, and know that she imparts this to others. I wish ALL Docs would practice their "bedside manner" in the same manner... Stanford is so fortunate to have Dr Hu, as a role model for others.
absolutely have voiced praise of dr hu's outstanding skills and magical fingers in resolving my chronic back issues. also kathleen tam, her PA, was/is wonderful w/her follow ups and caring attitude.
Have already referred a number of patients to Dr. Hu
Dr. Serena Hu is obviously a surgeon of the highest caliber and I feel privilaged to be a patient of hers. Her PA was also very nice and knowledgeable.
I very much appreciate the time and patience with my questions & concerns that Dr. Hu gave to me & my husband. She really heard my concerns and I came away with total confidence in what she suggests for me.
The most complete physical exam I've ever had.
Everyone was very helpful.
Dr. Hu is an excellent physician
Dr. Hu was excellent.
Dr Hu never called or came to see me in recovery after my operation. She has never shown any concern for the constant pain I have had since the operation.
Very good.
Dr Hu is a great doctor, she has a great sense of humor, discusses the situation clearly and doesn't try to hide bad things. I am very glad to have been referred to her once another doctor was able to provide a clear diagnoses of my condition. She is an exceptional surgeon and I very pleased to be one of her patients.
Serena Hu is THE best!
I am overwhelmingly grateful for the exceptional care I received. I know myself fortunate.
She is very caring person. She listens to the patient and patient's family. She is a very good doctor. Her advice is helping my husband. I like Dr. Serena Hu.
I have complete confidence in and great respect for Dr. Hu and her staff!
Dr. Hu is OUTSTANDING!!! I have recommended her to others.
I think Dr. Hu is incredible.
Dr. Serena Hu is the best there is for back surgery!!
Dr. Hu, Kathleen Tam and Dr. Hu's Medical Assistant are all excellent. That's why it doesn't get any/much better than Stanford Health.
Dr. Hu instills confidence with her ability to see to get to the point and be thoroughly professional with great interpersonal skills.
Appointment was way too rushed. I had two significant concerns at my appointment, and only one was addressed at all. The dr/office has not followed through on any of the things they said they'd do at the appointment (call with test results, etc.) and it's been two weeks. Very disappointing.
Serena Hu is very simply the best. Some questions in this survey are not well constructed, as many times an NA should be allowed
Dr. Hu is an excellent surgeon and a wonderful human being. She listens to her patients concerns and includes them in the critical thinking/decision making about their medical care. Her staff are very respectful and caring, as well. She is also very good with patients' caregivers, many of whom are anxious about their family member's medical conditions. I highly recommend her to others. No review is enough to credit her for being a phenomenal, respectful, and caring surgeon.
Again, I wasn't impressed by her cervacle experience, but I would have conficence in lower back surgery. I wish she had said "I haven't had much experience, and referred me on.
I will refer this doctor to my friends & family in future.
Dr. Hu has the WORST bedside manner of any physician I have ever met. I left her office in tears after she entered the room with her resident and proceeded to berate me and accuse me of not anserwing the residen'ts questions.
Dr. Hu and her PA Kathleen Tam were EXCELLENT in all of these categories.
thank you.
Both of my two visits here have felt rather rushed to me. I still had more questions.
Dr. Serena Hu is a bright professional whom I trust.
Dr. Hu is peerless! Pre-eminent.
Next steps are a little vague. I specifically asked that report be sent to me and my PCP. I have yet to get report.
Dr. Hu, physician's assistant, Kathleen were very good. Dr. Hu performed surgery on my back while working at UCSF.
Dr. Hu is excellent - does seem to be too busy - but efficient - next time I'll be wise and have a written list -
Dr. Hu has done an incredible job for me and is very friendly and a great asset for your hospital.

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